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November 19, 2013

It’s Liebster Blog Award time!

With little more than a month of autumn remaining, it seemed like high time I got around to posting about the fact that not one, but two, wonderfully lovely ladies have bestowed the Liebster blog award on Chronically Vintage over the past year (especially because the first of these two times happened in November 2012, and I really don't want to let more than a year slip by before I write about it here).

First off, the Liebster Award came my way care of the completely sweet Lil from Little Lil of London, then a few months later in February, the thoroughly awesome Holly of Veronica Vintage tapped me for it as well. I really appreciate that you passed this fun Q&A award on my way, dear gals, and am happy to do the same here today as well.

The Liebster Award has been bouncing around the blogging universe for a while now, the general premise being that the person who receives it answers a set of questions from the previous recipient (the person who in turn gave it to them), and then creates the same number of questions to be answered by those that they pass it along to. This is done as a way of both getting to know your fellow bloggers better and also letting your readers in on more about yourself, your blogs, and your thoughts on various topics.

Some versions also specify that the recipient share eleven random facts about themselves, but I shalln't be taking things in that direction myself today (but if you're interested in such things, check out my post from June about The Very Inspiring Blogger Award in which I list seven).

Lil didn't specify a list of questions in her post, but Holly did, and so it's those that I'm going delve right into here today (in relatively short answer form - who wants to start a gorgeous, sunny Monday morning off by reading essay-esque answers?), before laying out eleven of my own questions for the folks I'm passing the Liebster Award onto to answer, if they so desire.

1. What started your romance with all things vintage?
There wasn't one specific event that catapulted my love of vintage, I'm simply been fascinated by, and completely in love with, history since I was a little girl. Growing up I was beyond consumed with the past (hmmm, nothing much has changed there!), reading everything I could get my hands on that had to do with history (especially the years spanning the Victorian era to the 1960s), watching old movies, going to museums, talking to my relatives and elderly neighbours about their youth, you name it, if it was vintage or antique related, I was endlessly enthralled - and definitely still am.

2. What made you start a blog about it all?
You can read all about that very topic in this post from last March.

3. What is your favourite vintage item you have acquired so far?
Seriously hard to say...I love them all a great deal and have become very selective about what I will and will not buy over the years. I have a small closet and a modest budget, so if something is going to come home and live me - no matter if it costs a buck or a hundred dollars - I have to love it 100% (and have it fit at least relatively well). So while I'm honestly not sure if I could narrow it down to just one, a serious contender would definitely be my dusty rose 1940s tilt hat (which I spotted, fell in love with, and then Tony bought me as a wonderful gift).

4. If you could own one item of clothing from an Old Hollywood film, which would it be and why?
There are so many sublime, creative, gorgeous garments that have appeared in classic films over the years, but I'm going to have to go with a somewhat unexpected answer, and opt for one of the Mrs. Claus themed outfits that Vera-Ellen and Rosemary Clooney both wore in White Christmas, because of the incredible connection to the holidays of my youth that this movie holds for me (and because I think that a vintage Mrs. Claus suit is just about the cutest holiday garb ever!).

5. Would you rather live back in your favourite era(s) or would you prefer to stay in present day? Why?

This isn't the easiest of questions to answer in an elevator pitch kind of answer - and indeed doing so could easily fill many a blog post, as one explored the many sides and implications of going back in time - but the honest answer is that it truly depends on many factors. Because of my severe chronic health problems (which would have been a lot harder to deal with on a daily basis, get treatment for, find information quickly about, etc back then), I would probably opt to stay in the present.

Yet, if one could wave a magic wand and make me healthy as a horse, there are still a bevy of pros and cons to both, and my answer would ultimately lie in whether or not my husband could come with me, because I wouldn't trade any period in time (no matter how much I love it) if it meant not being able to spend my life with him. If I was healthy and he was there, then I may very well opt for the past - though I'd certainly miss all of you if I did!

6. If you could be a female historical figure, who would you be and why?
This is another question to which I have many answers, but no immediate top spot, because I respect, admire, and am fascinated with quite a number of famous historical female figures. One possible choice though would definitely be Florence Nightingale (I even went as her for Halloween one year when I was a little girl).

7. Same question, but as a male historical figure and why.
Same opening line as my previous answer through and through! In a strange way - perhaps because there have been even more famous male historical figures - this is even tougher to come up with a single name for. I've always longed to have the skill of a great master when it comes to painting, so someone like Leonardo da Vinci might make for a very exciting (and creatively fulfilling) choice.

8. How do you come up with topics to write about?
Pretty much anything is fair game here in terms of what I might potentially write about and I constantly keep my eyes and ears peeled for blog post inspiration. I like to pull from a range of sources, including my own life (and my vintage wardrobe), magazine articles (past and present), famous moments in history, fellow bloggers, Pinterest, books I'm reading, recipes I adore - you name it!

9. What nationalities/heritages are you?
I'm what I like to call a Heinz 57 of nationalities, with ancestors hailing from Germany, France, Russia, the UK, America, and a few wayyy back from Poland, too.

10. Do you pre-plan posts of write off-the-cuff?
Having a blogging schedule is paramount to my ability to post here on a regular, frequent basis and I generally write the bulk of my posts anywhere from one to four weeks in advance of when they go live. That said, I like to write a few off-the-cuff posts each month, and welcome the "of the moment" nature they make possible when it comes to recording various things that have recently happened in my world.

11. Where do you see the future of your blog? What would you like to see it as being in about one year? What about five years?
For me, every day of blogging is a way of letting my health know that it hasn't taken over my life completely, while at the same time serving a marvelously relaxing way to unwind and take my mind off of such things. So as long as I'm able to keep on keepin' on (so to speak) here (point blank) with each passing year, I will be exceedingly happy.

{To learn more a specific image, please click on it to be taken to its respective source.}

♥ ♥ ♥

As eleven seems to be the theme of this award, I'm pleased as punch to bestow the Liebster Award onto the following eleven wonderful ladies.

If you've already received it before (and don’t feel like writing about it again), aren't a fan of blog awards, or would otherwise prefer not to take part, please don't worry the tiniest of moments. Blog awards are just for fun, and if it they don't feel like such to you, no worries at all, just know that I think you and your blog are worthy of one all the same.

Here are my questions for you to answer, dear ladies - I hope you enjoy them as much as I did Holly's.

1. What are three of your favourite things about blogging?

2. What kind of sagely advice would you give to a blogger who is just starting their first ever blog today?

3. Do you find yourself drawn more towards creating word heavy or image heavy posts, or do you prefer a fairly even mix of the two in each post?

4. What is your favourite ten year span (note, this doesn't have to be a specific decade, such as the 1930s, you could pick 1925-1935) of all time from a fashion standpoint?

5. If you could go on a shopping spree (and money was no object), what are five vintage wardrobe items that you'd buy today?

6. What are five of your favourite savory foods, and five of your favourite sweet ones?

7. What's your favourite place you've ever lived? What are some of the reasons that makes this spot so near and dear to your heart?

8. If you could go on an all-expense paid vacation for two weeks to anywhere in the world, where would you go and what vintage clothes would you bring with you? 9. Currently, what are your three favourite colours? Do you wear these colours often or simply enjoy them in general?

10. If you could attend a concert from any musician/band throughout all of time, who would you pick to see live?

11. What's your favourite time of the day (morning, dusk, etc) and why?

♥ ♥ ♥

Thank you again very much to Lil and Holly for sharing this delightful blogging honour with me. I always sincerely appreciate each and every blog award that Chronically Vintage and I receive, and am so happy to finally get a chance this morning to share my answers to the questions involved with this one here today.

26 comments:

Thank you!!!! I've had this award before, but I'll certainly accept it again, and this is a fresh set of questions for me to answer. I promise to do it soon - I've been offline quite a bit as we haven't got internet at home yet, so my access has been sporadic. I have so many blogs to read to catch up and I'm behind on my posts too.

Loved reading your answers to those questions, I can imagine you in that Mrs Claus outfit!

You're completely welcome, my sweet friend! I'm happy to know that you want to play along again. I too would do so (with a different set of questions) in the future. I really liked that this award's "rules" involved both answering and asking two sets of questions.

Fear not, I completely understand. My (old) laptop is as good as dead and buried, and the new one isn't slated to arrive until early December, so my online prescience and ability to keep abreast of the blogs I follow is spotty at present, too.

You're very welcome, honey! Thank you for all the award worthy posts you create and share with us the whole year through. From sewing projects to Youtube videos to vintage fashion inspiration culled from Pinterest, I enjoy every last one of your posts.

Oh Jessica I truly enjoyed reading this because you get to know more about the person behind the blog. You know that I am very similar to you, when you answered that first question about your love of vintage. I would have written the exact same with the exception of old movies, it's one of the things I am not too fond of. But, the rest! oh my! I grew up in a 1930s home that was torn down and which cried my eyes out for, so there I have a connection... I love LOVE going to museums, talking to my grandmother about when she grew up and history is also an interesting topic for me. Right now I am reading about the construction of the Panama Railroad in the 1800s.

Thank you very much, dear Lorena. How truly wonderful that you got to spend a portion of your life in a vintage home, too. I wish it was something everyone (or at least those of us who have a long standing love of history/vintage) could experience for at least part of their life. I'm very sorry that your beloved childhood home was destroyed. What a shame that the city didn't try to hang onto a heritage property like that (it happens far too often around the world every year).

I adore talking to my grandparents about their memories of the past well. My maternal grandma was a teenager in the 1940s and my paternal grandparents (my maternal grandpa passed away when I was six) were teenagers and newlyweds starting a family of their own in the 50s, so I really get a glimpse into both of my favourite decades of all time via their experiences and memories.

I know; I too have grew up loving the past. Although I have always had a wonderful life, the world in general seemed more wholesome in the 1940s. I think because of the war people appreciated and found pleasure in simple things and their loved ones. I also miss the quality of workmanship that is no longer present in so many things made today. Sigh. And the clothing!!! Oh how I would love the dresses they wore - I am a dress person. Although I much prefer the music of the 40s to any other decade...the styles of the 50s cannot be beat.

I like your pick of Hollywood clothing. What fun that would be to wear at Christmas!:) Hope

You're very welcome, sweet Hannah. ♥ I've had serendipitous blogroll (or Facebook, etc) checking moments like that before, too. They're awesome - just as you and your blog are, which is why I was only too happy to pass along this fun award to you.

White Christmas! In my top three Christmas movies! And it also has the one article of clothing I'd choose -- Rosemary Clooney's bombshell black dress when she's singing at the Carousel Club. If I were to get married, I'm pretty sure I'd want to get married in a reproduction of that dress, rather than a traditional wedding dress.

It's my favourite Christmas movie hands down. There are others I love, of course, but nothing quite does it for me like White Christmas! :) I've always loved that dress as well - really, all of the fashions in that movie. That would make for such a splendidly cool, unexpected wedding dress. Fabulous idea!

Just thought I'd follow up to tell you that one of my friends made me a furry white wrap and muff for Christmas (we exchanged gifts this past weekend), inspired by those White Christmas ensembles! So much fun! I'm going to wear them to see the Nutcracker this Friday. =)

What a fun post! I love Q&A posts! You know, just this morning I was thinking about how I have never seen "White Christmas", and here it is on your blog! Vintage recipes are always fun to come across as well, and I am so glad that you post them, along with all of your other musings :)

One of my favorite blog post is (still) the one containing lists.You are ever so true when writing about living back in our favourite era(s) or would we prefer to stay in present day. It's a difficult one. First thing that comes in mind is the fact that most of the people in my country, in those days didin't look as gamurous as the gals in the magazines do. They were poor, they struggled, they mended their clothes, they would "inherit" clothes (as we call it "hand-me-down"). Another thing is WAR. No matter how much I love the style I see in the magazines from U.S. (and U.K.) - they have not had foreing troops stepping in (armed & dangerous). So, I'd have to say: I like staying in the NOW-time. It gives more chances not only for survival, but for many, many more things. You see, back then there would be no way for me to buy all the things I own now, since back then I could not be what I am now (women didn't go to the University back then, in our country - they were too busy taking care of children and farming their animals).Today is good.I do like to moan about my work hours and my nagging boss.. but: it's an era I was born in, and I can't imagine not living in any other time.That, however, does not prevent me from living a vintage lifestyle.

Such clever answers, and very entertaining. I also think about medicine and treatments, when I fantasize about a time travelling machine. I love the style of the fifties but there are a lot of others things I definately don't like about the era, the rationed post-war years, the racism, just to mention a few. I think it's better living in the present and taking the best from the past. :)

I'm Jessica, a lifelong lover of all things antique and vintage, especially those from the 1930s, 40s and 50s.

This blog is my visual scrapbook in which I record and share my thoughts on the multitude of sources, people and products that inspire and feed a modern gal's addiction to the past. I also post about the vintage clothes, hairstyles and make-up looks that I adore wearing.

Stay a spell and have a blast as we explore the incomparably fantastic world of vintage history and fashion together.

All images used on this site are credited to their original posters/creators/sources,
however if at any time you would prefer not to see one of your images here, please email me and I'll take it down right away.

PS...I just wanted to say thank you very much for visiting and to tell you that you're equal parts awesome and beautiful.